Wood said he called Kern before the meeting in hopes of reaching a compromise because “if it goes forward on a 3-2 vote, it will be a stigma for a long time.”

He suggested they choose instead someone “outside the personal arena.” Otherwise, Wood said, he would favor a special election despite its cost.

The council had delayed the appointment twice after narrowing the choice to three finalists – Felien, independent insurance agent Jerry Salyer and Jay Lembach, the appointed treasurer for Encinitas – out of the 18 people who had applied for the post.

Wood and Sanchez originally favored Salyer for the part-time job, which pays about $23,000 a year.

The council had to appoint someone Wednesday night or call a special election, expected to cost about $450,000.

Sanchez favored an election all along, noting that almost all of Jones' term remains.

Felien, who is to be sworn in at 9 a.m. Thursday, will hold the job until December 2012.